Differential expression of FGF receptors during zebrafish fin regeneration

Teleost fins can be structural and functionally restored after severe injuries or partial amputation through a process of epimorphic regeneration, which requires an acute temporal and spatial control of basic cell events such as proliferation, and differentiation. FGF family of growth factors have been shown to regulate cell growth, survival, migration and differentiation. Through these abilities, FGFs induce and/or direct patterning in animal development and regeneration. Pleiotropic effects of FGFs are executed by activation of specific membrane receptors. In order to gain insights into the role of FGF signaling during teleost fin regeneration, we undertook the study of the expression of the four described FGF receptors (FGFRs). Preliminary results are presented, showing different patterns of immunoreactivity for each receptor during outgrowth regeneration stages, that are suggestive of particular functions for each of them.